Long time UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones revealed that he will vacate the title. His subsequent tweets hinted at retirement, but the fighter revealed that he is moving up to heavyweight. However, the decision caught fans as well as fellow fighters unawares.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Read: BREAKING:Jon Jones Vacates Light Heavyweight Championship
They took to Twitter to air their views regarding the shocker. Some focused on the fact that ‘Bones‘ departure would allow many talented fighters a decent chance at the belt. But for many others, the move equaled to him running away from the decision, as he wasn’t as dominant in his last two matches.
First came Jon Jones’ last opponent, Dominick Reyes. ‘The Devastator’ wrote, “I’ll catch you later JB.”
I'll catch you later JB https://t.co/C9ZpNgmUMS
— Dominick Reyes (@DomReyes) August 17, 2020
Former light heavyweight fighter Jimi Manuwa termed the decision a boss move.
@JonnyBones 🙌🏾 #bossmoves 👌🏾
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) August 17, 2020
Middleweight fighter Derek Brunson weighed in on the move to heavyweight saying, “Jon Jones report to the scale . Heavyweight awaits you !” He hinted at a move up a weight division himself and added, “I always wanted to eat and not cut weight . LHW”
Jon Jones report to the scale . Heavyweight awaits you ! 💥#UFC
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) August 17, 2020
I always wanted to eat and not cut weight . LHW 🤔
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) August 17, 2020
Former UFC fighter Ben Askren was excited about the move and wants Jones to face ‘The Black Beast’. He wrote, “Much more excited for Bones Jones to fight at HWT than Light Heavy. Give him Derek Lewis 1st then title shot.”
Much more excited for Bones Jones to fight at HWT than Light Heavy. Give him Derek Lewis 1st then title shot.
— Funky (@Benaskren) August 18, 2020
However, it seems unlikely that Jones would vacate his championship without having gotten a guaranteed title shot somewhere down the line. Former UFC fighter and one of Jon Jones’ old foe, Chael Sonnen, aired his viewpoint regarding the same.
Did Jon Jones Vacate His Title Without Guaranteed Title Shot? https://t.co/qvA6pw5Fql
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) August 18, 2020
Fans react to Jon Jones vacating the light heavyweight title
Fans praised Jon Jones for moving as he had cleaned out the 205 lbs division in the UFC.
Wow! Good luck for whatever's next for you, champ.
— Jon Jones (@jonjones) August 17, 2020
The running from Reyes angle got a lot of traction as fans expected this to be the champion’s next fight upon return.
running from reyes
— Morgan (@_mrgn97) August 17, 2020
Jon when they told him he had to fight Reyes again for an immediate rematch pic.twitter.com/RElooNETUG
— FlickerJab (@FlickerJab00) August 17, 2020
Other users rubbed their hands in glee at the prospect of seeing a match against Francis Ngannou. This potential fight dominated conversations all throughout May.
IS IT ACTUALLY HAPPENING?!?! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rpkc06RmdT
— Edward (@EdwardjMMA) August 17, 2020
Portions of the MMA world touched on Jones’ comments following UFC 252 and are envisioning him being Stipe Miocic‘s next challenger. This could be like how Daniel Cormier moved up to heavyweight in 2018.
Some users saw this as the catalyst for Daniel Cormier to make a UFC return just days after he retired.
DC when he hears that the Light Heavyweight title is vacant again pic.twitter.com/YIhY3z7mqN
— FlickerJab (@FlickerJab00) August 17, 2020
DC texting Dana when he sees that LHW strap vacant pic.twitter.com/tfrOpBDJsW
— box (@boxall77) August 17, 2020
The move is polarizing, but it is something that Jones has done to enhance his titanic legacy in the UFC. What do you feel about his move?
